CVC 4000(a)(1)Eligible for written declarationCorrectable

Expired Vehicle Registration

Driving, moving or leaving standing on a highway, or in an offstreet public parking facility, a motor vehicle or trailer that is not registered or whose registration fees have not been paid.

Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed October 10, 2026

Fine: $281, or $25 if correctedDMV Points: None✓ Correctable

This guide is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TicketClear is a self-help document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not represent clients. Review all prepared documents carefully before submitting. Fine amounts are estimates and vary by county and surcharge schedule.

What is a Expired Vehicle Registration ticket?

CVC 4000(a)(1) says a person shall not drive, move, or leave standing upon a highway, or in an offstreet public parking facility, any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole or pipe dolly, or logging dolly, unless it is registered and the appropriate fees have been paid under the Vehicle Code, or registered under the permanent trailer identification program. An offstreet public parking facility is any publicly owned parking facility, or a privately owned one that charges no fee to park and is open for the common public use of retail customers (a)(2). The subdivision does not apply to a vehicle stored in a privately owned offstreet parking facility by, or with the express permission of, the owner of that facility (a)(3). Under 4000(a)(4), operative from July 1, 2024, to January 1, 2030, a violation shall not be the sole basis for enforcement action before the second month after the month the registration expired, though action may be taken earlier if the vehicle is stopped for another violation.

Ask your insurer how a conviction affects your policy.

What the Law Says

(a) (1) A person shall not drive, move, or leave standing upon a highway, or in an offstreet public parking facility, any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole or pipe dolly, or logging dolly, unless it is registered and the appropriate fees have been paid under this code or registered under the permanent trailer identification program, except that an off-highway motor vehicle which displays an identification plate or device issued by the department pursuant to Section 38010 may be driven, moved, or left standing in an offstreet public parking facility without being registered or paying registration fees. (2) For purposes of this subdivision, “offstreet public parking facility” means either of the following: (A) Any publicly owned parking facility. (B) Any privately owned parking facility for which no fee for the privilege to park is charged and which is held open for the common public use of retail customers. (3) This subdivision does not apply to any motor vehicle stored in a privately owned offstreet parking facility by, or with the express permission of, the owner of the privately owned offstreet parking facility. (4) (A) (i) A violation of this subdivision shall not be the sole basis for any enforcement action before the second month after the month of expiration of the vehicle’s registration. (ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), if a vehicle is stopped for any other violation of this code, enforcement action for a violation of this subdivision may be taken before the second month following the month of expiration. (B) This paragraph shall be operative from July 1, 2024, to January 1, 2030, inclusive.

What the Officer Must Prove

1You drove, moved, or left standing a vehicle the section covers upon a highway or in an offstreet public parking facility
2It was not registered with the appropriate fees paid, or registered under the permanent trailer identification program

Arguments Commonly Raised for Expired Vehicle Registration

General information: arguments drivers commonly raise for this code section. Whether any applies depends on your own facts.

Second month after expiration

CVC 4000(a)(4) says that, from July 1, 2024, to January 1, 2030, a violation of subdivision (a) shall not be the sole basis for enforcement action before the second month after the month the registration expired, unless the vehicle is stopped for another violation. Compare your expiration date with the citation date.

Private parking facility

CVC 4000(a)(3) says the subdivision does not apply to a vehicle stored in a privately owned offstreet parking facility by, or with the express permission of, the owner of that facility.

Registration was current

If the vehicle was registered and the fees were paid, include your registration record.

Correction

If your notice is marked correctable and you present proof of correction, certified as Vehicle Code 40616 describes, by mail or in person on or before the date on your notice, the court shall dismiss the charge (Vehicle Code 40522). The clerk collects a $25 transaction fee unless the notice is processed only by the agency that issued it (Vehicle Code 40611).

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✗Not keeping the DMV receipt for your registration
✗Leaving out your registration expiration date

What this code section covers (general information)

CVC 4000(a)(1) — Expired Vehicle Registration. Driving, moving or leaving standing on a highway, or in an offstreet public parking facility, a motor vehicle or trailer that is not registered or whose registration fees have not been paid.

Eligible for Trial by Written Declaration: generally yes.

This is general information about CVC 4000(a)(1). It is not advice about your citation, and TicketClear does not evaluate anyone's facts. Whether any of it applies depends on your own facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed California attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions About Expired Vehicle Registration

Can I be stopped just for expired registration?▼

CVC 4000(a)(4) says that, from July 1, 2024, to January 1, 2030, a violation of subdivision (a) shall not be the sole basis for enforcement action before the second month after the month of expiration, but enforcement may be taken earlier if the vehicle is stopped for any other violation of the Vehicle Code.

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